# The Chain-Mediating Effects of Mindfulness and Sense of Control on Corporate Employees’ Mental Health Problems

## TL;DR

This study shows that mindfulness and a sense of control help reduce mental health problems caused by work-family conflict in employees.

## Contribution

The study identifies a chain-mediating effect of mindfulness and sense of control on mental health outcomes.

## Key findings

- Work–family conflict positively correlates with mental health problems and negatively with mindfulness and sense of control.
- Mindfulness and sense of control mediate the impact of work–family conflict on mental health.
- The chain-mediating effect of mindfulness and sense of control is significant in reducing mental health problems.

## Abstract

Based on the chain-mediating role of mindfulness and sense of control, this study examines the mediating role of mindfulness and sense of control on employees’ mental health. A total of 720 questionnaires were collected from employees of select enterprises and institutions in China; 53 invalid questionnaires were excluded, with a response rate of 93%, leaving 667 employees as the study sample (average age = 38 years, 71.8% female). The study findings show that: (1) Work–family conflict had a significant positive correlation with mental health problems and a significant negative correlation with mindfulness and sense of control. (2) The influence on the mental health state was due to the mediating effect of mindfulness, sense of control, and the chain-mediating effect of mindfulness and sense of control. The study adopted self-report scales for measuring mindfulness and a sense of control; therefore, further experimental methods must be included in the future to explore these results. This study shows that mindfulness and sense of control can reduce the impact of work–family conflict on mental health problems. Additionally, the chain-mediating effect of mindfulness and sense of control plays an important role in mental health problems.